Rail tie and fastener



1934 J. A. CLEVELAND RAIL TIE AND FASTENER Filed May 2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wd E Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

and aims to provide metal cross ties and novel means for fastening the rails thereon.

It is the object of the invention to provide metal rail ties and rail fasteners which will be durable, practical and efficient and wherein the construction is simple and economical.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of one end portion of one of the cross ties and the rail fastening means,

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections on the respective lines 22 and 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of three ties illustrating the rail fasteners used with a rail joint.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail corresponding to Fig. 3 illustrating a modification.

The cross tie is of I-beam construction, being rolled from suitable metal, and having the upper and lower flanges 1 and 2, respectively, with an intervening web 3. The upper flanges, as shown, are preferably narrower than the base flanges 2, and the rails 4 seat on the flanges 1.

At one side of each rail, preferably the inner side, rail fastening members 5 pass upwardly through slots 6 in the flanges l at the opposite sides of the web 3 of the tie, and have lower T-heads 7 bearing upwardly against said flanges. Said members 5 have notches 8 receiving the corresponding base flange of the rail, thereby holding the rail down on the tie and preventing the rail moving in the corresponding direction. The rail also holds the members 5 in place when the base flange of the rail is moved into the notches 8, as seen in Fig. 2.

At the opposite or outer side of the rail, a pair of rail fastening members 9 pass through slots 10 in the flanges 1 at the opposite sides of the web 3 of the tie and have heads 11 attheir upper ends to extend over the corresponding base flange of the rail.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the members 9 are elongated vertically and pass downwardly through slots 12 in the flanges 2 so as to extend below the tie, thereby entering the roadbed and preventing the tie from slipping out of position.

The present invention relates to railroad tracks,

The members 9 and web 3 have slots 13 through which wedges 14 are driven, for forcing the pair of members 9 downwardly to clamp the rail on the tie.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a rail brace 15 is disposed at the outer side of the rail and has lower outstanding flanges 16 to seat on the corresponding base flange of the rail and the top of the tie. The flanges 16 have slots or openings 17 to receive the members 9, and the heads 11 seat on said flanges 16 for clamping the brace 15 and rail down on the tie.

The outer end of brace 15 has a depending stud 18 seated in a recess 19 in the tie to provide an abutment preventing the brace 15 from moving outwardly, so as to securely brace the rail against outward shifting or tilting movement. The braces 15 are preferably used at the outside of the outer rail along the curves of the track, to resist the outward thrust against said rail.

In assembling the parts, the ties are first placed on the railroad, and after the members 5 are inserted upwardly through the slots or openings, the rails are seated on the ties and shifted to move the corresponding flanges into the notches 8. The members 5 have lugs 5' to seat on the ties for supporting said members until the rail flange is slipped into the notches 8. The braces 15 are then placed on the ties with the studs 18 in thesockets or recesses 19, and said braces may be swung into position, the studs 18 serving as pivots.

When the openings 17 register with the slots or openings 10, the members 9 may then be inserted downwardly and the wedges 14 driven into place, thereby securely clamping the parts together. The members 5 resist the movement of the rail in one direction while the braces 15 and members 9 resist the movement of the rail in the opposite direction on the tie.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the fasteners used in connection with a rail joint comprising the fish plates 15 bolted to the opposite sides of the terminals of the rails. Said flsh plates have outstanding portions 16 bearing on the ties and have (1100 the bent under portions 16 extending under the rail between the ties. The rail fastening members 5 and 9 pass through the portions '16, and the members 5 and heads 11 of the members 9 are formed to engage over the fish plates, whereby said fish plates are securely fastened on the ties. As shown in Fig. 4 the fish plates extend across and are secured on three cross ties, to provide a substantial joint.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modification in that the fas- H0 site flanges provided with openings to register with the aforesaid openings, rail fastening members extending through said openings and having heads seating on the flanges of said brace, said Web and members having slots, and Wedging means in said slots to move said members downwardly.

JUDSON A. CLEVELAND. 

